Paul Van Dam on Health Care

Shift efforts so the money does not go to corporate America

BENNETT: Bennett said health care incentives need to change to give people control over their own dollars.

VAN DAM: Van Dam said the government needs to shift its efforts so the money does not go to corporate America. The US is the only advanced country that does not provide universal health care, he said.

Source: [Xref Bennett] UT Senate Debate, in Spectrum
Oct 14, 2004

Let the government negotiate with drug companies

VAN DAM: Van Dam said Congress should let the federal government negotiate with insurance and drug companies for bargains, something that is currently off-limits.

BENNETT: Bennett countered that rising health care costs will never be stabilized until Congress changes current tax laws so that there is more of an incentive to reduce prices.

Source: UT Senate Debate, in Deseret Morning News
Oct 14, 2004

No profit in making the flu vaccine

BENNETT: Bennett countered that rising health care costs will never be stabilized until Congress changes current tax laws so that there is more of an incentive to reduce prices. "We used to have 11 companies produce flu vaccine. We now have four," he
said. "They tell me it's because they're afraid of being sued."

VAN DAM: Van Dam said he also has talked with drug company representatives about the flu vaccine shortage, but he's being told that there's "no profit" in making the preventive medication.

Improve the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act

The Van Dam campaign proposes the following changes and improvements to the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act.

Eliminate the $3,450 to $5,300 coverage gap in the prescription drugs benefit plans.

Protect the 37% of retirees who are estimated to lose their current prescription drug coverage due to the passage the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act.

Providing greater access to affordable prescription drugs.

Allow Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in fallback plans to remain in such plans for two years.

Eliminate the coverage gap for individuals with cancer.

Give the $12 million surplus built into the Senate plan back to
the senior citizens to be covered by the plan.

Have a Medicare prescription drugs benefit plan available to compete with all private plans to give senior citizens more options.

Source: Campaign website, vandamussenate.com, "Issues"
Aug 18, 2004

Health coverage should be affordable & include options

Patients have a right to have medical decisions made by their doctors not insurance companies. All treatment options must be made available to patients that participate in an HMO. Seniors have a right to a prescription drug benefit that is
comprehensive and has no gap in coverage. The monthly premiums for the prescription drug benefit must be financially affordable. A Medicare fallback program for prescription drugs must be available for seniors living in rural Utah.

Source: Campaign website, vandamussenate.com
Jul 20, 2004

Huge deficits endanger important social programs

The huge deficits endanger some of the most important programs in our society-Social Security and Medicare. Our government made sacred promises to the citizens of this country that they would receive income and health care during their later years.
The Bush Administration's reckless disregard of the fiscal health of America will inevitably lead to breaking those sacred promises. We have more than 40 million uninsured and costs that are making health care increasingly impossible to afford.